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enCONCACAF Champions League: America 6 Herediano 0A stunning first-half performance saw America overturn a three-goal deficit and storm into the CONCACAF Champions League final at the expense of Herediano.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/america-6-herediano-0-benedetto-inspires-first-half-blitz
America trailed Herediano by three goals heading into the semi-final second leg at the Estadio Azteca but levelled the tie after just 18 minutes, while Dario Benedetto struck four times as the hosts took control in Mexico.
A first-half red card to Herediano's Edder Nelson put the visitors even further on the back foot, while Alejandro Diaz wrapped up America's win with five minutes remaining.
The emphatic comeback saw America qualify for their sixth final in the history of the CONCACAF Champions Cup and Champions League combined, with the Liga MX club having won their five previous deciders.
Gustavo Matosas' side will face Montreal Impact in the final, which will be held over two legs on April 22 and 29.
The match could have started much differently, as Herediano missed two massive chances in the opening minute.
America goalkeeper Hugo Gonzalez saved Yendrick Ruiz's shot with his boot and a follow-up effort flashed wide of the post.
Just three minutes later and the home side were on the scoreboard when a flowing move saw Darwin Quintero tee up Benedetto and although the latter's shot was saved, the former tucked the loose ball away.
Benedetto struck in the eighth minute in spectacular fashion, receiving a pass on the edge of the areabefore curling his shot into the top corner of the net.
The home side equalised the tie in the 19th minute when Quintero cleverly set up Benedetto for a classy first-time shot, while the Argentine striker notched his hat-trick after Herediano failed to clear a corner six minutes later.
Benedetto was involved ineverything, with Nelson shown a straight red card in the 27th minute for kicking the 24-year-old forward, and he scored his fourth goal just after the half-hour mark thanks to a smart cut-back from Miguel Samudio.
America led 5-3 on aggregate at the break and although they slowed down in the second half, Diaz capped off the emphatic victory with a tap in from Martin Zuniga's cross in the 85th minute.
news_articleThu, 09 Apr 2015 05:29:16 +0000Anonymous372783 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCONCACAF Champions League: Impact eye up historic final placeMontreal Impact coach Frank Klopas is braced for an Alajuelense onslaught as the MLS outfit bid to qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League final.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/concacaf-champions-league-preview-impact-eye-historic-final
The Impact hold a two-goal buffer heading into Tuesday's return semi-final leg after Ignacio Patti and Victor Cabrera inspired the Canadians to a 2-0 victory at Stade Olympique in Montreal on March 18.
Only one other MLS franchise - Real Salt Lake in 2010-11 - have made an appearance in the Champions League final but no team from Canada have progressed so deep into the tournament.
The Impact are in pole position to qualify for the two-legged decider to be played on April 21 and 29 but Klopas is wary of the Costa Rican giants on home soil at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto - where they have only lost four of their past 32 fixtures in all competitions.
"We have some guys that are fast. But at the end of the day, [Alajuelense] are the team that has to come out and push the game to score," said Klopas, who has acquired John Smits on loan from FC Edmonton to provide backup for goalkeeper Evan Bush for the second leg.
"We can keep the game at 0-0, and we go through. We have to manage the game. We know they're going to come out hard. They're playing at home, with their atmosphere.
"We just have to be mentally ready and be prepared for a fast start for them."
Fatigue should be no excuse for the Impact, who were excused from MLS competition over the weekend with the league rescheduling their fixture against New York Red Bulls to October 7.
"I think that it's good that the league was able to move the game," Klopas said.
"It would be hard, because some of the injuries we have right now, playing in the two tournaments, it's not that easy.
"It's good. We can really prepare, get some guys the extra rest they need to make sure they're really ready and sharp to go."
Should the Impact make it through to the final, they are likely to face another Costa Rican opponent, with Herediano on the verge of qualifying in Mexico City on Wednesday.
Herediano stunned Mexican powerhouse America 3-0 in a fiery encounter on March 17.
America were put to the sword after Michael Arroyo was red carded early at Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero, with Herediano piling on three unanswered goals in the second half via Esteban Ramirez, Yendrick Ruiz and Jonathan Hansen.
The iconic Estadio Azteca is the location for Wednesday's second leg.
news_articleMon, 06 Apr 2015 04:06:30 +0000Anonymous371516 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCONCACAF Champions League: Herediano 3 America 0Herediano are 90 minutes away from their first CONCACAF Champions League final after routing 10-man America 3-0 in Tuesdays semi-final opener.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/herediano-3-america-0-maiden-final-beckons-costa-ricans
Play at Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero in Heredia was brought to a halt for almost five minutes as tempers boiled over following the sending off of America striker Michael Arroyo in the 27th minute.
Arroyo received his marching orders after a studs-up challenge on Cristian Lagos, bringing both benches to their feet amid a mass of pushing and shoving.
When play resumed, Herediano made their numerical advantage count via three unanswered goals in the second half as the Costa Rican outfit moved within touching distance of their first appearance in the final.
Esteban Ramirez made the breakthrough eight minutes after half-time, curling the ball beyond America goalkeeper Hugo Gonzalez from the edge of the penalty area.
With America pushing numbers forward, the visitors were exposed on the break 16 minutes later when Yendrick Ruiz looped a header over Gonzalez.
It got better for Herediano in almost identical situation with eight minutes remaining, Argentinean substitute Jonathan Hansen directing a header into the bottom corner of the net.
The return leg is scheduled for April 8 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
news_articleWed, 18 Mar 2015 04:51:36 +0000Anonymous362810 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCONCACAF Champions League: All-Costa Rican final looms largeAlajuelense and Herediano could take a step towards the first all-Costa Rican final the CONCACAF Champions League era with wins over America and Montreal Impact this week.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/concacaf-champions-league-preview-all-costa-rican-final-looms
While Alajuelense and arch-rivals Deportivo Saprissa met in the 2004 final of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Mexico's dominance of the six editions of the Champions League has ensured no Costa Rican club has reached the competition's decider since 2008.
Herediano have not qualified for the final in either format and will be aiming to make history when they host America on Tuesday.
Cristian Lagos was the hero for Herediano in their 3-1 quarter-final aggregate triumph over Honduras' Olimpia, scoring in both legs.
The 30-year-old striker's goal in the 2-0 away win on March 5 made it five straight matches that Lagos had scored in but he has failed to hit the back of the net in Herediano's past two league fixtures.
In the six Champions League finals, 11 of the 12 finalists have been from Liga MX but America - five-times champions in the previous format - have not been one of them and they will be desperate to change that over two legs versus Herediano.
Alajuelense will travel to Montreal on Wednesday for their semi-final first leg after they prevailed 6-4 on aggregate in the quarter-finals against another MLS club - DC United.
Last season's semi-finalists beat DC 5-2 at home and then lost 2-1 in the United States to reach the last-four.
The Impact will be looking to become the first Canadian club to qualify for a final in both the Champions League and Champions Cup eras, while no MLS outfit has won since the new format was introduced in the 2008-09 season.
Montreal coach Frank Klopas is unsure what to do with his midfield against Alajuelense, with right-winger Justin Mapp out for four months with an elbow injury.
Klopas generally plays with Mapp and Dilly Duka as inverted wingers in a 4-2-3-1 but may switch tactics due to the former's absence.
"If you put Dom [Oduro] out there [on the right], you've got to play a little different, it depends," Klopas said.
"If a team plays higher on the pitch, you can use him because of his pace. [Maxime] Tissot, he's going to come in, but he actually has a very good service and he provides a little more width on the field – he's not one of those guys that comes inside as much as Justin or Dilly."
news_articleMon, 16 Mar 2015 07:49:47 +0000Anonymous361342 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCONCACAF Champions League: Herediano 2 Olimpia 0Esteban Granados and Cristian Lagos scored second-half goals as Herediano accounted for visitors Olimpia 2-0 in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/herediano-2-olimpia-0-agg-3-1-hosts-through-semis
Granados and Lagos scored within 18 minutes of each other after a goalless first half at Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero to complete a 3-1 aggregate victory for Herediano.
Herediano - contesting their first Champions League semi-final having failed to make it past the quarters in four previous attempts - will face Mexican heavyweights America for a spot in the final.
Hosts Herediano held the upper hand heading into Thursday's return leg after claiming a 1-1 draw in Honduras last week.
But Olimpia almost regained the ascendency when they were awarded a penalty in the 30th minute but Honduras international Anthony Lozano was unable to convert.
And the visiting team were left to rue their missed opportunity as Herediano scored two unanswered goals after the break.
Granados put Herediano ahead on aggregate just a minute into the second half before Lagos, who netted the equaliser in the opening leg, tucked the ball underneath Olimpia's international goalkeeper Noel Valladares.
news_articleFri, 06 Mar 2015 03:49:10 +0000Anonymous356010 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCONCACAF Champions League: DC United face uphill task to make semisTop seeds DC United must overturn a three-goal deficit if they are to claim an unlikely CONCACAF Champions League semi-final berth ahead of Alajuelense.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/concacaf-champions-league-preview-dc-united-face-uphill-task-reach-semis
United play host to Costa Rican visitors Alajuelense at the Robert FKennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington on Wednesday, a week after the MLS giants were routed 5-2 on the road.
Out of season and out of form with the MLS set to kick-off on March 6, United were put to the sword by Alajuelense, who were inspired by Jose Ortiz's brace at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto.
Speaking after the opening leg, United coach Ben Olsen said his team took far too long to find their rhythm against Alajuelense, who are on track to advance to the last four in consecutive campaigns.
"We took too long to get into what was a very physical game against a good group. It's pretty simple," said Olsen.
"This was our first real game in a while and it just took us too long [to get up to speed] so we had to spend the rest of the time out there chasing the game.
"Give them a lot of credit -they came at us and gave us a lot of difficulty and we just didn't handle it well.
"I think we did a much better job of handling the game at the end of the first half and into the second half, getting a hold of it, getting up to speed. Just costly mistakes. Very soft goals."
The scenario is far different for fellow MLS outfit Montreal Impact, who entertain Pachuca at Stade Olympique on Tuesday.
Montreal travelled to Mexico and earned a 2-2 draw at Pachuca last week.
A brace from Dilly Duka had the Impact cruising with two priceless away goals eight minutes into the second half before Pachuca hit back through Heriberto Olvera and Ariel Nahuelpan.
While the performance was impressive, Impact centre-back Laurent Ciman rued the two late goals conceded.
"On the second goal, [Evan] Bush and I could have talked to each other," Ciman said. "I think I'm clearing it, he had it in his hands. Alas, we kind of bumped into each other, and the ball falls for the forward [Nahuelpan] who scores.
"I'm complaining a little bit about that, but in no way am I complaining about Bush or one of my team-mates. I just like to win, I'm a winner."
Liga MX Apertura champions America face Deportivo Saprissa on Wednesday with a commanding 3-0 lead up their sleeve.
Costa Rican hosts Saprissa were dismantled in the second half last week as Oribe Peralta ran rampant by scoring two goals in the space of three minutes.
Herediano and Olimpia go head-to-head on Thursday with the last-eight tie locked at 1-1.
news_articleMon, 02 Mar 2015 03:56:57 +0000Anonymous353469 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCONCACAF Champions League Wrap: Pachuca reel in MontrealA brace from Dilly Duka was not enough for Montreal Impact as the MLS club gave up a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Pachuca in the CONCACAF Champions League.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/concacaf-champions-league-review-pachuca-reel-montreal
Montreal were cruising after 52 minutes with left-winger Duka having struck either side of half-time but the Impact could not hold on for a famous win, as Heriberto Olvera and Ariel Nahuelpan levelled the tie ahead of next week's second leg in Canada.
The Impact are in their maiden Champions League campaign and have never before won a competitive fixture in Mexico - the graveyard of many MLS clubs.
Duka gave Montreal the lead in the 25th minute, cutting in from the left before picking out the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Justin Mapp set up the Impact's second goal, getting inside the penalty area in the 53rd minute and shooting, which caused Pachuca goalkeeper Oscar Perez to parry the ball into Duka's path for a comfortable finish.
But three minutes later Pachuca were on the scoreboard with Olvera's free-kick deflecting off Montreal's defensive wall to loop into the top corner.
The hosts equalised in the 68th minute after a goalkeeping howler by the Impact's Evan Bush, who failed to hold Hirving Lozano's low cross and Nahuelpan bundled the ball across the line with his stomach.
In the other quarter-final first leg, Honduras' Olimpia were held 1-1 at home by Herediano of Costa Rica.
news_articleWed, 25 Feb 2015 06:09:40 +0000Anonymous350453 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCONCACAF Champions League: DC and America head to Costa RicaDC United are targeting a positive result at Alajuelense in their CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final first leg, while America also head to Costa Rica.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/concacaf-champions-league-preview-dc-united-america-head-costa-rica
Ben Olsen's DC are still in pre-season, with their MLS campaign not kicking off until early March.
But they must find some rhythm and form quickly as they prepare for a meeting with Alajuelense at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto.
DC attacker Fabian Espindola said his team needed to recover physically as they aim to start the tie well.
"We need to get some good rest and know that we have to go there and do our good job," he told the club's website.
"It's just two games, that's it. The last game is at RFK [Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium] so we need to go and have a good result on the road."
Only one American team has ever made the final of the competition in the Champions League era, which started in 2008-09 - Real Salt Lake in 2010-11.
DC are the only team from the United States left but fellow MLS outfit Montreal Impact are also still alive.
The Impact visit 2009-10 champions Pachuca for their first leg on Tuesday.
Pachuca sit 10th in Liga MX but have won back-to-back games heading into their meeting with the Impact.
America will meet Deportivo Saprissa at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Ayma in San Jose.
That tie is between two high-flying teams, with Saprissa leading the way in the Costa Rican Primera Division and America second in Liga MX.
Oribe Peralta, who scored a brace against Chiapas on February 14, and Diego Benedetto (four goals in four games) are sure to play a huge part for America.
There are three Costa Rican teams in the last eight, with the other being Herediano.
Herediano take on Honduran league leaders Olimpia at the Estadio Tiburcio Carias Andino.
news_articleMon, 23 Feb 2015 03:11:15 +0000Anonymous349191 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCosta Rica Primera: Herediano 1 Deportivo Saprissa 1Deportivo Saprissa held Herediano to a 1-1 draw at home to clinch back-to-back Costa Rican Primera Division titles on Saturday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/herediano-1-deportivo-saprissa-1-agg-3-5-draw-hands-visitors-consecutive-titles
Having won the first leg last week 4-2, Saprissa travelled to Heredia knowing a draw would be enough to be crowned Torneo de Invierno champions and thanks to Deyver Vega's first-half strike, the visitors got the job done at the Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero.
Vega was picked out by a mammoth kick downfield from Saprissa goalkeeper Danny Carvajal in the 36th minute and burst inside from the right wing before powering a left-footed drive through the hands of Herediano gloveman Daniel Cambronero and into the net.
Herediano could have equalised in the 54th minute but Yendrick Ruiz's spot-kick was saved by Carvajal and, although Pablo Salazar struck for the home side just five minutes later, Jafet Soto's men were left to rue what might have been as Saprissa triumphed 5-3 on aggregate.
Saturday's result ensured Saprissa added the 2014-15 Invierno title to their victory in the Torneo de Verano at the end of last season.
In the first leg on December 14, Ruiz had given Herediano a sniff of the title, scoring a brace away from home, but Daniel Colindres' stoppage-time strike gave Saprissa a two-goal buffer ahead of the second match.
Saprissa were 2-0 up after just 11 minutes with Heiner Mora and Ariel Rodriguez getting on the scoresheet before Ruiz struck for the first time in the 29th minute.
A goal from Juan Bustos extended Saprissa's advantage just four minutes after half-time but Ruiz kept Herediano in the contest with a 68th-minute penalty, although a lot of his good work was undone when Colindres converted in the 95th minute.
news_articleSun, 21 Dec 2014 04:16:02 +0000Anonymous308928 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCosta Rica Wrap: Saprissa to meet HeredianoDeportivo Saprissa and Herediano will meet in the Torneo de Invierno final after both teams played out draws.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/costa-rican-primera-division-review-saprissa-herediano-meet-final
Saprissa earned a 1-1 draw against Alajuelense at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto on Monday, which was enough to see Jeaustin Campos' men triumph 2-1 on aggregate.
The San Juan de Tibas-based outfit - who scraped into the semi-finals after claiming the fourth and final play-off spot - took a slender one-goal lead into the second leg thanks to their last-gasp 1-0 win in the semi-final first leg.
Saprissa - the most successful club in the Costa Rican Primera Division after taking out the 2014 Torneo de Verano title - extended their buffer over Alajuelense in the 42nd minute.
Deyver Vega was on hand to net the opener three minutes before half-time, putting the visitors twogoals clear via a priceless away goal.
Jose Ortiz did manage to pull a goal back for Alajuelense on the hourmark but it proved nothing more than a consolation for the home side, who topped the standings during the regular season.
Herediano played out a goalless draw at home to Cartagines on Sunday to set-up a showdown with Saprissa.
Neither Herediano nor Cartagines could find the back of the net at the Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero as Jafet Soto's side won 3-2 on aggregate.
The final will be played over two legs, with the opener taking place at the EstadioRicardo Saprissa Ayma on December 14.
news_articleTue, 09 Dec 2014 05:21:00 +0000Anonymous302246 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCosta Rica Wrap: Saprissa edge Alajuelense openerDeportivo Saprissa struck in second half stoppage time to overcome Alajuelense 1-0 in their Torneo de Invierno semi-final first leg on Thursday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/costa-rican-primera-division-review-saprissa-edge-past-alajuelense
In a battle of the two most successful clubs in Costa Rican league history, referee Randall Poveda dished out four yellow cards to each side before Heiner Mora scored the only goal of the game in the 91st minute.
Mora got on the end of a cross from the left wing to give Saprissa a crucial lead ahead of their semi-final second leg away to Alajuelense on Monday.
Saprissa - the most successful club in the Costa Rican Primera Divison - are aiming for their 31st championship but will have to be at their best next week when they travel to the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, as Alajuelense (29 titles) finished the Torneo de Invierno top of the table.
In the other semi-final first leg on Wednesday, Herediano triumphed 3-2 at Cartagines with both sides finishing the match with 10 players.
Kevin Vega struck in second-half stoppage time for Cartagines to give them some hope ahead of their trip to Heredia on Sunday but the Cartago-based club will have to do without Carlos Johnson, who received his marching orders in the 80th minute.
Just four minutes later, Herediano midfielder Francisco Calvo was also sent off.
Herediano started brilliantly with Yendrick Ruiz and Victor Nunez scoring in the seventh and ninth minutes, while the former added the visitors' third goal with eight minutes remaining.
Jameson Scott's penalty just past the hour mark got Cartagines on the board, before Vega's late intervention put them within a goal ahead of the second leg.
news_articleFri, 05 Dec 2014 07:51:20 +0000Anonymous299822 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCosta Rica Wrap: Saprissa to face AlajuelenseAlajuelense will face Deportivo Saprissa in the Costa Rican Primera Division semi-finals in a battle between the countrys two most successful clubs.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/costa-rican-primera-division-review-alajuelense-saprissa-set-last-four-clash
The top four spots were already decided heading into Sunday's final matchday, but the order was yet to be confirmed.
But Cartagines and Saprissa, who were third and fourth respectively, both won to see the latter book a meeting with runaway league leaders Alajuelense.
Alajuelense recorded a 2-1 win at bottom side Puma Generalena thanks to Ronald Matarrita's brace to finish the Torneo de Invierno seven points clear.
Deportivo Saprissa, who have won 30 league titles to Alajuelense's 29, struck twice in the first half on their way to a 2-1 victory over Carmelita.
Carlos Saucedo and Marlon Escoe netted and Jeaustin Campos' men held on despite Victor Chavarria's late goal for visiting Carmelita.
But, with Cartagines winning 4-2 at Limon, Saprissa ended up fourth.
Leandro Silva put the visitors ahead in the 13th minute before Cesar Lopez levelled for Limon.
Paulo Jimenez's goal just before the break restored Cartagines' lead and they went 4-1 up thanks to efforts from Kevin Vega and Andres Sanabria.
Kendall Solano scored a consolation goal for the hosts in the 88th minute.
Herediano, who finished second and will face Cartagines, enjoyed a 1-0 victory at Santos de Guapiles.
Elsewhere, Belen Siglo XXI drew 1-1 against UCR and Uruguay edged Perez Zeledon 1-0.
news_articleMon, 01 Dec 2014 00:40:15 +0000Anonymous296950 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCosta Rica Wrap: Semi-final spot for CartaginesCartagines continued their drive up the Costa Rican Primera Division table on Wednesday, securing a spot in the finals.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/costa-rican-primera-division-review-cartagines-secure-semi-finals-berth
Goals to Johan Condega and Andres Lezcano saw Cartagines defeat Deportivo Saprissa 2-1, leapfrogging the vanquished side into third in the standings and claiming an unassailable five-point advantage of fifth-placed UCR.
It means the Torneo de Invierno semi-finalists are confirmed heading into the final round of the regular season, which will be held on Sunday.
Condega's free-kick in the ninth minute put Cartagines on the way to victory, while Lezcano made it 2-0 three minutes after half-time, although he was given a helping hand by Saprissa's goalkeeper, who let the long-range strike slip through his fingers into the net.
Ariel Rodriguez pulled a goal back for Saprissa in the 88th minute but it mattered little as Cartagines claimed their fourth win in five matches.
The win took Cartagines to 39 points, one ahead of Saprissa, while UCR's (34) hopes of reaching the semi-finals are dashed.
Cartagines will face Herediano in the semi-finals but will have to play the second leg away from home after the latter wrapped up second spot on Wednesday.
Yendrick Ruiz struck a brace as Herediano destroyed Limon 4-1 to rise to 43 points, seven behind leaders Alajuelense, who will play Saprissa in the semi-finals.
news_articleThu, 27 Nov 2014 05:12:24 +0000Anonymous294631 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCosta Rica Wrap: Win sends Cartagines fourthCartagines climbed into the semi-final places in the Costa Rican Primera Division as Alajuelense won again.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/costa-rican-primera-division-review-cartagines-fourth
Fighting for fourth spot, Claudio Ciccia's Cartagines claimed an important 2-0 win over Belen Siglo XXI at the Estadio Jose Rafael Fello Meza.
The win saw Cartagines move into fourth, two points clear of UCR – a team not in action over the weekend.
Johan Condega put Cartagines ahead in the 10th minute and Andres Lezcano struck in first-half additional time.
Cartagines have two games to play before the play-offs – if they make it that far – while UCR have just one left.
Deportivo Saprissa remain a chance of finishing second after battling to a 1-0 victory at home to Herediano.
Daniel Colindres scored an 81st-minute winner for the hosts, who are two points behind the second-placed team they beat.
League leaders Alajuelense continued their fine season, winning 1-0 at Limon.
Johan Venegas netted a winner 10 minutes from time as Alajuelense made it 16 wins in 21 Torneo de Invierno matches.
news_articleSun, 23 Nov 2014 23:31:59 +0000Anonymous292618 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCosta Rica Wrap: Alonso nets again for leadersAlajuelense maintained their seven-point buffer at the helm of the Costa Rican Primera Division, while Herediano also won.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/costa-rican-primera-division-review-alonso-scores-10th-goal-alajuelense-win
Oscar Ramirez's league leaders won 2-0 at Cartagines, who finished with nine men after tempers flared late.
Armando Alonso's 28th-minute goal took him equal-top of the season's goals list with 10, level with Perez Zeledon's Fabrizio Ronchetti.
The victory was sealed late on by Johnny Acosta, but not before the hosts had Jose Leiva and Jameson Scott red-carded.
Herediano preserved their winning streak, taking it to four matches with a 2-0 home triumph over Carmelita.
Antonio Pedroza and Esteban Granados struck at either end of the first half to ensure Herediano did not lose ground on the leaders - and have a game in hand on Alajuelense.
Belen Siglo XXI's purple patch continued in mid-week, as they won away at Santos de Guapiles 2-1.
Bryan Lopez's 88th-minute goal proved to be the winner, as ninth-placed Belen Siglo XXI moved within one point of Santos - who have lost three in succession - in eighth.
Limon came from behind to deny Uruguay in a 1-1 stalemate, denying the latter the chance to move off bottom spot.
news_articleFri, 21 Nov 2014 01:37:00 +0000Anonymous290885 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com